AIR ESTIMATES IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22657, 11 March 1939, Page 15

AIR ESTIMATES IN BRITAIN

RECORD LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE INCREASE IN AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION ... STATEMENT BY MINISTER IN HOUSE OF COMMONS (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received March 10, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, March 9. The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood), introducing air estimates totalling £220,626,700, the largest estimates in the history of the Air Ministry, in the House of Commons, reminded the House that in 1934 the air estimates were about £18,000,000. This year they were about 12 times greater than the air estimates in any yean from 1929 to 1934, and roughly double the aggregate expenditure on the three services in 1932 and 1933.

This year’s increase alone, amounting to £74,000,000, and coming after a succession of increases, was equal to the total cost of all the defence services This year’s heavy expenditure arose mainly from the large number of modern aircraft now coming into the -quadrons, the cost of providing additional manufacturing capacity, and the construction of new stations. It was accounted for, too, by unexpectedly good progress in the speeding up of production and the unexpectedly enthusiastic' response to the appeal for recruits. The great intake of recruits had caused the Government to increase the provision for the maximum personnel to 120,000. The larger deliveries of air frames and engines, and the faster progress in the construction of the, stations and factories, and in the expansion of the balloon barrage scheme, had also swollen the vote.

Efforts to Raise Strength

These vast estimates, said the Minister, were not only an indication of the marked success of the Government’s efforts to raise the • country’s strength in the air, but they were a signal demonstration of the British people’s determination to make adequate provision for their defence by a new arm, the importance of which was now fully recognised. The Government was now spending £250,000 daily on the production of aircraft alone. During the last year considerable progress had been made in the expansion of squadrons and their re-equipment with the latest types of machines. The number of first-line aircraft at home would be raised to 1750 by April, the date on which this programme was due for completion.

As regards the programme announced in May for a metropolitan air force of about 2370 aircraft by next March, good progress had been made in developing the necessary productive capacity, and in recruiting the personnel, and there was every prospect of its being completed within the time promised. The Minister added that four more squadrons had been established overseas during the year, making a total establishment of 30 squadrons. Seven additional squadrons would be formed in accordance with the programme already announced to increase the overseas strength to approximately 500 firstline aircraft. To meet requirements for the protection of overseas territories and trade, the formation of certain additional squadrons had now been approved. The production of aircraft was proceeding at a rapidly increasing rate, and it would be increased still further. In November he had said that the output would be at a rate of 150 per cent, higher than 12 months earlier. That 150 per cent, increase had already been achieved. He hoped that the fourfold increase in the rate of production, which he had promised for May, 1940, would be achieved by next December. Already aircraft were arriving from the United States, and delivery from Canada would commence next year, while a British mission was now in Australia studying possibilities there. Forces for Work The labour forces engaged in the aircraft industry at home had increased by per cent, in the last six months. Eleven factories which had been established under the shadow scheme were now in production. The Minister added that he could say with confidence that in the machine types now being issued to the bomber and fighter squadrons the country possessed what he believed were the best in the world.

Referring to the personnel, he said that he had appealed last June for 31,600 pilots, observers, airmen, and boys before the end of this month. The response had been excellent, and the figure hac. already been passed last week. The quality of the recruits was very good and fully worthy of the high traditions of the Royal Air Force. He wanted 20,000 more recruits for the Air Force during the coming financial year. Recruitment for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was also proceeding satisfactorily. More than 2500 were already in training as pilots. The Government hoped to form sections of the reserve in Malaya, Hong Kong, and East Africa. A total of 1400 members of the Civil Air Guard were already in possession of their A licences, and 3800 more were in training.

Sir Kingsley Wood, continuing, said that on the reserve side an important development had been the new scheme for the entry into Class 3 of former airmen. From July, when the scheme was launched, till November last, 2300 men had enlisted, and since November the number had been more than doubled.

For the Royal Air Force and its various reserves and auxiliaries, they would want in all some 75,000 more men in the coming year. Speaking on the balloon defence scheme, he said that the barrage could be operated in the London area if required. Balloon barrage squadrons were being actively organised in other areas, and the entire scheme should be in operation by the end of . the year. In passages devoted to strategical questions. Sir Kingsley Wood was f‘